Has anyone done or witnessed a Circle of Love during a ceremony?

MsNise812

My officiant just provide the rough draft of the ceremony and added a  "Circle of Love" as a suggestion to see if it would be something FI and I would want to have. This is the first time I am hearing about it and want to know if anyone else has done it or been to a ceremony that has done it. As she explains it, as the guests arrive they are invited to take a flower and lay it by the altar where FI and I will be standing, essentially creating a "circle of love" in which we say our vows. She said it's a nice way to incorporate the guests. She will also be saying a vow in which the guests will participate and be witness to (they will respond with "we do"). The circle of love is a nice idea, but I am still thinking about it. FI thinks it would be a nice touch and something different. We would also have to looking getting more flowers which may be an added expense in our budget, but it's something to look into. And if flowers are not a go, do you think little stones might work with something like that? That way we could use them in our garden afterwards. Let me know your thoughts please! Just when you thought you had it all figured out, more stuff is thrown at you that gets you thinking LOL!!!

southernbelle0915

I have never seen this, but the flowers sound pretty. The fact that it's uncommon and requires guests to do something will probably mean you need someone coordinating/guiding people on what to do. It sounds confusing, honestly. And I'm never really a fan of the "we do" - the bride and groom are the ones getting married...would you really stop if they said "we don't" or "I object"? 

Between that and the added cost, I would find something else to do. H and I wrote letters to each other and put them in a box as part of our ceremony (it took literally 1 minute of the ceremony and no one had to do anything). We've decided to read them on our anniversary.

MsNise812

@southernbelle0915...that is one of the reasons why I am still contemplating on having that be a part of the ceremony. I believe the officiant would be the one orchestrating this, but idk how effective it would be if not everyone arrives at the same time....and you're right, if people say they don't it won't really stop us from getting married lol!

FI and I are doing the letters as part of our wine box ceremony. We thought it would be a nice tradition to start.

southernbelle0915

I just thought of something - with how much stuff people post on youtube, you might be able to find a few videos of this. Once you see it in action, you could see if you think it's a good fit or not. good luck

Jen4948

If you can't be absolutely sure that all your guests (not just most of your guests, but all of them, since they're all being asked to participate) will do so in a nice way, I would not plan for guest participation in any capacity other than to sit and watch the ceremony.

monkeysip

The circle of flowers is nice... but I'm not sure about the logistics.  Ditto seeing if its on youtube somewhere.

I would say no on the "we do" thing.  That's a weird level of participation from guests...

April192002

I haven't heard of the Circle of Love and it's not something I'd do, as a bride or guest (unless I'd stick out like a sore thumb if I didn't participate). Since your officiant mentioned it, I'm sure they already have a system of how to do it. Depending on the number who attend, maybe you could do flower petals. If I had stones on the ground I'd probably end up stepping on one, and that might not end well. If your dress has a train on it, it may end up pulling some of the stones and someone else in your wedding party may end up stepping on one.

I'm really not into guest participation in ceremonies. I attend weddings to watch and celebrate, not to have an active role in it. I know some religions have guest participation, which I'm not a fan of either (except "let us pray"), because my religion doesn't do anything like that so I wouldn't know how to properly participate.

0Paris0

I love this idea!! I think it's different, sweet and romantic ... But only for smaller weddings I think at a bigger wedding it would just add to the cost and stress . 

MsNise812

Thanks for your opinions ladies!

FI and I talked it over and while it is a different idea and something sweet, it may a little bit too much (logistically and financially). Especially since we will not be there to see how it plays out. Last thing we want is for it to become a mess, because it will be a pretty big wedding. We came to the conclusion that the ceremony is for us, and just having our guests there will be good enough.